Harrow v. Department of Defense
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Harrow v. Department of Defense and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Harrow v. Department of Defense.
The Supreme Court decided that the 60-day filing deadline for appealing a decision from the Merit Systems Protection Board is not a jurisdictional requirement. This means that the deadline can be subject to exceptions such as equitable tolling. The case was vacated and remanded for further proceedings.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Harrow v. Department of Defense.
The Court held that Section 7703(b)(1)'s 60-day filing deadline is not jurisdictional, allowing for exceptions like equitable tolling.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Harrow v. Department of Defense. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to Harrow v. Department of Defense
The case involves whether the procedural rules regarding filing deadlines are jurisdictional or can be subject to exceptions like equitable tolling, which relates to fair procedures.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Although the procedural rules that govern the litigation process are often phrased in mandatory terms, they are generally subject to exceptions like waiver, forfeiture, and equitable tolling.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to Harrow v. Department of Defense
The Court's decision involves interpreting the scope of judicial authority to hear cases when procedural deadlines are missed, which is a matter of judicial review.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)But when Congress enacts a 'jurisdictional' requirement, it 'mark[s] the bounds' of a court's power, and a litigant's failure to follow the rule 'deprives a court of all authority to hear a case,' with no exceptions.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Harrow v. Department of Defense that support the summary and concepts above.
Section 7703(b)(1)'s 60-day filing deadline is not jurisdictional.
The Court will 'treat a procedural requirement as jurisdictional only if Congress `clearly states' that it is.'
Most time bars are nonjurisdictional, even when 'framed in mandatory' and 'emphatic' terms.
